New url for Peach Buzz
Bookmark this new url for Peach Buzz.. We have moved to Wordpress!
Access Atlanta > Blog > Archives > 2008 > May > 19
Monday, May 19, 2008
‘Law Dawg’ kept family’s UGA tradition
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
ABOVE, left to right: Lucy Pope Dodd, Rep. John Barrow, UGA Law School’s 2008 graduation speaker, and Kathleen Flynn Parker. (UGA Law School photo)
Call it destiny or in her blood — Lucy Pope Dodd became a fifth-generation graduate of the University of Georgia Law School over the weekend.
For much of her life, Dodd wanted to be a third-grade teacher.
But that changed after one heated political argument with her grandpa, Pope Barrow McIntire, during her undergraduate years. She supported Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry. He backed the Republican incumbent President Bush.
“That night I went to bed crying,” Dodd told Buzz in an e-mail. “In the morning, he gave me a big hug and said that I needed to go to law school. He said that anyone who could argue so passionately about something, especially when she was wrong, deserved to go to law school.”
Dodd’s grandfather, whom Dodd affectionately called “Hoho,” died shortly before she started law school.
“He knew I had gotten in,” said Dodd.
According to UGA school officials, Dodd’s great-great-grandfather Middleton Pope Barrow was a member of the first class to graduate from the law school in 1860. Dodd’s other family members who have graduated from the law school include her aunt Elizabeth Palmour Dodd Kane and her sister Elizabeth Kanne.
“I am proud of my family’s connection to law school,” said the 25-year-old graduate from Atlanta. “I love this state more than I can possibly say, and after three years here at UGA School of Law, I love this school. Even if I were the first generation, I would be so proud to call myself a ‘Law Dawg.’ “
‘Bachelorette’ ready for some romance
Newnan real estate agent DeAnna Pappas had her heart broken last year by Brad Womack in the fall edition of “The Bachelor.” ABC and the viewers loved her so much, the network quickly gave her a chance to reverse roles and pick from 25 hot guys for the summer edition of “The Bachelorette” debuting tonight.
Marietta-born Pappas, in an interview with Buzz, couldn’t say much about the outcome of the show, which just wrapped up. But she said she’s over Womack. “He’s a distant memory,” she said. “I’ve moved on.”
Despite the show’s dismal record as a matchmaker, Pappas remains a romantic at heart: “I completely believe in the show and the whole point behind it. I know it can happen. I was more than willing to put my heart out there and try again.”
And she feels she can beat the odds.: “I put 100 percent into any relationship I’m in. I don’t take this lightly. I tried very, very hard to make it work.”
Kennesaw State student spins wheel
While chatting with his fellow “Wheel of Fortune” contestants, Adam Kleg mentioned that he was a biochemistry major at Kennesaw State University. “I don’t know if it intimidated them,” he told Buzz.
See for yourself tonight at 7 p.m. on WATL. Kleg, 22, applied to the show nearly three years ago because he’s a big puzzle fan. The Alpharetta native auditioned last November in Buckhead, but had to turn down an invitation to spin the wheel in January because of a chemistry lab, exams and presentations.
“I was like, ‘Uh-oh, they’re never going to call me back,’ Kleg said. “When they contacted me in April, I had the same situation, but I told my teachers, ‘Look, I’m going. You can move my stuff for me and we’ll figure it out later.’ “
Kleg didn’t meet host Pat Sajak until the game began, but letter-turner Vanna White wished the contestants good luck.
“Vanna came in when we were getting the legalese spat at us,” Kleg said. “None of us recognized her at first. She was in street clothes, pajama pants, T-shirt and wet hair instead of being made up.”
Likewise, the contestant coordinator didn’t recognize Kleg. “When I auditioned,” he said, “I had a mohawk and a beard.”
He changed his look to interview for physicians’ assistant schools. “I thought it wouldn’t be the best idea to have that,” Kleg said. “But at the pediatrics office where I worked, they loved it.”
Buzz doesn’t want to spoil the suspense, but Kleg’s competitors had good reason to fear his intellect.
London in ‘Purple’ at Fox this summer
“American Idol” fans will see a familiar face in the cast of the first North American touring production of the Broadway musical “The Color Purple.” LaToya London, known simply as “London” to her fans, will play Nettie in the show, which will be at the Fox Theatre July 15 to Aug. 3. London was an early front-runner to win season three of “American Idol” before she ended up in fourth place.
Other cast members for the show include Stu James, an Atlanta native and Morehouse College grad. His acting credits including “Rent” on Broadway, the movie “Dreamgirls,” and appearances on the soap “General Hospital.”
The leading role of Celie will be played by Jeannette Bayardelle, who also played the part on Broadway. Felicia Fields, who plays the strong-willed Sofia, was nominated for a Tony Award for her portrayal of the role on Broadway.
Golden mom up for new golden award
Decatur mom Subrena Glenn-Everett is a national finalist in a “Gold Medal Mom” contest, one of 25 moms, narrowed down from a field of 2,500 nominations.
Nominated by her 20-year-old daughter Alexandria Taylor, who called her mom, “my backbone and best friend.” Taylor told Buzz her mom is always there to comfort and help her.
But one thing judges didn’t realize is Glenn-Everett is already a Gold medal mom — her son Angelo Taylor won gold in the 2000 Olympics in the 400 hurdles and 1,600 relay.
The top prize of the contest — sponsored by Tyson and judged by Mary Lou Retton — is an all-expense paid trip to the Olympic games in Beijing.
“I can’t explain how honored I am to have my daughter feel this way and to see it in writing, I am really honored. I just cried and cried,” said Glenn-Everett, who is a guidance counselor at Midway Elementary School.
From now to June 11, you can vote for Glenn-Everett at www.goldmedalmom.com.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS PBS newscaster Jim Lehrer is 74. Author-director Nora Ephron is 67. Musician Pete Townshend is 63. Singer-actress-model Grace Jones is 56.
Contributing: Karen Rosen, Rodney Ho, Sonia Murray, Kirsten Tagami and news services.
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
